THIS WEEK'S REAL ESTATE STORIES

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CBS.MarketWatch.com

If you're shopping for a home this spring, you may want to consider locking in a mortgage rate. This week, the 30-year fixed rose for the fourth consecutive week on a rosier economic outlook and tame inflation. No one is predicting rates will spike upward anytime soon, but the improving business climate may continue nudging them higher in the next few months. For a look at where rates now stand, along with stories on setting up a house down-payment fund and the age-old question of renting versus owning, check out our latest Real Estate Weekly.

Hope spring's eternal...

Steve Kerch, Real Estate Editor, skerch@marketwatch.com

Mortgage rates up for fourth week

McLean, Va.: The rate on the benchmark 30-year mortgage inched higher to 7.18 percent, rising for a fourth straight week amid signs of tame inflation and positive economic news, according to the latest survey. See full story.

Setting up a house account

Washington: It's almost an old-fashioned idea in this day and age of no or small down-payment mortgages: setting aside funds in an account solely to buy a house. See full story.

Rent due? Whip out the credit card

Chicago: Wouldn't it be nice to forget about handing over the rent check and not worry about getting evicted? Just say charge it. See full story.

New home sales stay strong

Washington: Sales of new homes rose about 5 percent in February to an annualized pace of 875,000, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. See full story.

Doing the math on owning vs. renting

Chicago: Those of us who cover the housing industry, especially if we've been at it for a number of years, have a bias toward homeownership. See full story.

Existing home sales slip, but level strong

Washington: Home resales softened in February from an extraordinary January, but sales levels show little has changed for this robust component of the domestic economy. See full story.

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